Safe Hydration for Children and Adults - Homemade "Pedialyte" for Smart Moms and Athletes

When our infant or child is having chronic vomiting or diarrhea, perhaps due to intestinal flu, there is nothing more important to us moms, than giving her/him some fluids.

Pedialyte might come to mind, but let's rethink this!

"Pedialyte, a miserable chemically loaded twin of Gatorade marketed to the American Mothers as something revolutionary new and healthful. Well, I have done my best digging for it. And? And I have found nothing, zero value!" - Nick, PhD in Organic Chemistry - DyeDiet Blog

Electrolytes in Pedialyte and Gatorade are important because they are what your cells (especially nerve, heart, muscle) use to maintain voltages across their cell membranes and to carry electrical impulses (nerve impulses, muscle contractions) across themselves and to other cells.

Your kidneys work to keep the electrolyte concentrations in your blood constant despite changes in your body. For example, when you exercise heavily, you lose electrolytes in your sweat, particularly sodium and potassium.

These electrolytes must be replaced to keep the electrolyte concentrations of your body fluids constant. But what about all the sugars, additives, dyes and chemicals that are added to Pedialyte and Gatorade?

Do you really want to add toxins and chemicals into your sick child's little body? Of course not!

You want to add the electrolytes nature intended to supply.

Common symptoms of Electrolyte Imbalance are:

• cramping


• leg pain


• muscle weakness and fatigue


• severe thirst


• frequent urination or constipation


• paralysis and irregular heartbeat


• difficulty breathing and/or confusion


• impaired insulin production


• high blood glucose levels

As for your body, the major electrolytes are as follows:

• sodium (Na+)
  
  
• potassium (K+)
  
  
• chloride (Cl-)
  
  
• calcium (Ca2+)
  
  
• magnesium (Mg2+)
  
  
• bicarbonate (HCO3-)
  
  
• phosphate (PO42-)
  
  
• Phosphorussulfate (SO42-)
  
  

These minerals are easily extracted from natural fruit and vegetable juices. These recipes are so much better tasting than chemicals and dyes, don't you agree?


We will use lots of fresh lemon juice, because lemon has:

• Anti-bacterial properties
  
  
• Stimulates the digestive and detoxification process
  
  
• Great antiseptic properties
  
  
• Relieves fever
  
  
• Contains lots of antioxidants
  
  
• Relieves high Blood Pressure
  
  
• Natural source of potassium - Calms and relieves pain, dizziness, nausea, stress and depression
  
  
• Naturally relieves respiratory disease like Asthma (Source)
  
  

Lemon-Carrot-Lyte

• 3 cups Natural Spring Water
  
  
• 1/3 cup Freshly Juiced Lemon Juice (rich in Potassium, Phosphorus and smaller amounts of Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, Iron, Copper)
  
  
• 1 cup Freshly Juiced Carrot Juice (rich in Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus and smaller amounts of Magnesium, Sodium)
  
  
• 1/3 cup (or to taste) Raw Honey / Palm Sugar / Coconut Palm Sugar ( Raw Honey is not safe for small children under 1 years of age)
  
  
• 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. Natural Sea Salt
  
  
• 1/2 - 1 tsp. Soda bicarbonate (aluminium free)
  
  

Directions:

1. Gently warm 1 cup of water with honey/palm sugar/coconut palm sugar and salt
   
   
2. Let cool
   
   
3. Add the rest of the ingredients
   
   

TIP ► Also try as Popsicle and chilled (room temperature for small children)


Lemon-Watermelon-Lyte

• 3 cups Natural Spring Water
  
  
• 1/3 cup Freshly Juiced Lemon Juice (rich in Potassium, Phosphorus and smaller amounts of Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, Iron, Copper)
  
  
• 1 cup Freshly Juiced Watermelon Juice (rich in Potassium and moderate amounts of Phosphorus Magnesium, Calcium)
  
  
• 1/3 cup (or to taste) Raw Honey / Palm Sugar / Coconut Palm Sugar ( Raw Honey is not safe for small children under 1 years of age)
  
  
• 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. Natural Sea Salt
  
  
• 1/2 - 1 tsp. Soda bicarbonate (aluminium free)
  
  

Directions:

1. Gently warm 1 cup of water with honey/palm sugar/coconut palm sugar and salt
   
   
2. Let cool
   
   
3. Add the rest of the ingredients
   
   

TIP ► Also try as Popsicle!


Apple-Lyte

• 3 cups Natural Spring Water
  
  
• 1/3 cup Freshly Juiced Lemon Juice (rich in Potassium, Phosphorus and smaller amounts of Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, Iron, Copper)
  
  
• 1 cup Freshly Juiced Apple Juice (rich in Potassium, Phosphorus and smaller amounts of Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Sodium, Zinc)
  
  
• 1/3 cup (or to taste) Raw Honey / Palm Sugar / Coconut Palm Sugar ( Raw Honey is not safe for small children under 1 years of age)
  
  
• 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. Natural Sea Salt
  
  
• 1/2 - 1 tsp. Soda bicarbonate (aluminium free)
  
  

Directions:

1. Gently warm 1 cup of water with honey/palm sugar/coconut palm sugar and salt
   
   
2. Let cool
   
   
3. Add the rest of the ingredients
   
   

TIP ► Also try as Popsicle!


Coconut Water-Lyte

• Natural Coconut Water is the perfect electrolyte drink and a thirst quencher! Try it fresh from young Thai coconuts or buy as organic coconut water in cans.

Grape-Lyte

• 3 cups Natural Spring Water
  
  
• 1/3 cup Freshly Juiced Lemon Juice (rich in Potassium, Phosphorus and smaller amounts of Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, Iron, Copper)
• 1 cup Freshly Juiced Grape Juice (rich in Potassium, Phosphorus and smaller amounts of Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, Iron, Copper)
  
  
• 1/3 cup (or to taste) Raw Honey / Palm Sugar / Coconut Palm Sugar ( Raw Honey is not safe for small children under 1 years of age)
  
  
• 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. Natural Sea Salt
  
  
• 1/2 - 1 tsp. Soda bicarbonate (aluminium free)
  
  

Directions:

1. Gently warm 1 cup of water with honey/palm sugar/coconut palm sugar and salt
   
   
2. Let cool
   
   
3. Add the rest of the ingredients
   
   

SUMMER TIP ► Also try as Popsicle! Hope you enjoyed these electrolyte drinks and Popsicle recipes!


Please share with your friends.

Monika Baechler

Nutrition Specialist and Juice Fasting Coach